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| How We Find Them |
| With literally dozens of groups and workshops in many third-world countries, how does FSN decide which to use as a source for art and handcrafts? |
| Well, first of all, our distributor representatives do a lot of research to determine whether the source meets fair trade criteria. The items and workshop must all meet strict fair trade standards, set up by the Fair Trade Council of the Americas, Fairtrade Foundation, and International Federation for Fair Trade |
| Then, samples of the craft pieces are purchased by our distributors, and inspected for quality and material integrity. |
| The next step involves negotiation for price. Unique to fair trade, it is the artisan who sets the price, at an amount that will offer a sound return on their investment of time and materials, but also one which is competitive by world standards. |
| Finally, we ensure that the artisan group can manufacture a quantity which is adequate for our shopper audience. |
| Often, one of our distribution representatives makes a personal trip to the actual workshop, to meet the artists and make friends with the people of the village, thereby creating an even stronger bridge of friendship and harmony. |
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